For Charlotte, a mother of seven living in Elgin, life has always revolved around caring for her family. Alongside her husband and five children at home, she also supports her two adult children daily. With long-term health challenges and the constant demands of family life, Charlotte admits she often felt she never had time to focus on herself.
That all changed when she discovered Get on a Bike, a local charity based in Cooper Park, Elgin. The organisation promotes physical and mental wellbeing by providing bikes, helmets, gloves, and guided rides tailored to all abilities. For Charlotte, it was an opportunity to step outside, breathe fresh air, and do something just for herself.
“I hadn’t been on a bike for many years,” Charlotte recalls. “My first ride was just one small loop of the park.” But from that modest beginning, Charlotte has grown stronger and more confident every week. Now, her smile is wide every time she pedals. She rides longer distances, feels fitter, and has even set herself a remarkable goal: to hire a bike and cycle through Central Park when she visits New York this November.
Cycling has also sparked wider changes in Charlotte’s health and wellbeing. She’s working with her GP, therapist, and nutritionist to improve her lifestyle, and she’s even added swimming to her routine. At home, she notices she’s walking faster, climbing the hill to her house with more ease, and relying less on her walking stick.
For Get on a Bike, Charlotte’s story is exactly why the project exists. With support, encouragement, and a safe environment, people of all backgrounds and abilities can rediscover the joy and freedom of cycling. As Charlotte’s journey shows, two wheels can lead to big changes.
To learn more about Get on a Bike or to join a guided ride:
visit Facebook: Get On a Bike
or email admin@getonabike.org.uk.